THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE
Bunnell, Florida
Thursday, February 18, 1926

 

Joe Berry, Negro, is held in Palatka jail, charged with the murder of Tom Terry, another Negro, the murder taking place Monday night about 9 o'clock at Roy, 25 miles north of Bunnell.

The trouble arose at the home of Silas Wilson, of that place, when a bunch of Negroes were gambling. Tom Terry was betting on the hand of Silas Wilson's wife and won the pot, which consisted of about three dollars. Berry became angry over the matter and began beating Terry. Terry fled to his own home, about three hundred yards away. Berry grabbed a shotgun and followed, shooting him through the heart at close range.

Berry left the neighborhood immediately after the shooting, but was apprehended by authorities at Palatka, about 12 o'clock Monday night, while attempting to make his get-away. Berry will be held in Palatka until the meeting of the grand jury next month. Berry waived preliminary hearing Thursday.

F. A. Rich, justice of the peace, empanelled a coroner's jury Tuesday morning, went to the scene and heard the evidence of two witnesses, after which the jury returned a verdict that Terry came to his death from gun shot wounds inflicted by Joe Berry